Commuters woke to rain and cloudy skies for the first time in weeks in San Antonio as thunderstorms moved into the area overnight. These people at the corner of Heimer and Bitters (who would not release their identities when asked) were waiting for a bus shortly before 7:00 a.am. Wednesday June 22, 2011.

Commuters woke to rain and cloudy skies for the first time in weeks in San Antonio as thunderstorms moved into the area overnight. These people at the corner of Heimer and Bitters (who would not release their

A dump truck pushes through high water where Salado Creek flows under IH-35 north of downtown Wednesday morning June 22, 2011 after thunderstorms passed through the San Antonio area overnight.

A dump truck pushes through high water where Salado Creek flows under IH-35 north of downtown Wednesday morning June 22, 2011 after thunderstorms passed through the San Antonio area overnight.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT/jdavenport@express-news.net

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Commuters woke to rain and cloudy skies for the first time in weeks in San Antonio as thunderstorms moved into the area overnight. These people at the corner of Heimer and Bitters (who would not release their identities when asked) were waiting for a bus shortly before 7:00 a.am. Wednesday June 22, 2011.

Commuters woke to rain and cloudy skies for the first time in weeks in San Antonio as thunderstorms moved into the area overnight. These people at the corner of Heimer and Bitters (who would not release their

By dawn, the greater San Antonio area had received almost 2 inches, but it was quickly tapering off as the large storm cell moved to the Southeast.

While the forecast calls for a cooler day — temperatures will only get into the lower 90s but will feel muggy — Morris said triple-digit heat will return as early as Friday.But that wasn't on the mind of most residents, who welcomed the first rainfall in San Antonio in nearly seven weeks even as it complicated their morning commute.

San Antonio police said 17 traffic accidents, almost all minor, were recorded in a 90-minute period starting shortly before 6 a.m. Weather played a role in three of the four separate traffic fatalities during the night before, police reported.

The rain also spelled relief, although temporary, from looming severe watering restrictions.

The Edwards Aquifer was already climbing Wednesday morning. The J-17 monitoring well hit a low of 638.8 feet above mean sea level during the night but had bumped back up to 640.68 by 7:45 a.m.